Filing appliance



Feb. 3, 1925.

W. E. DUNNING ET AL FILING APPLIANCE Filed July 16, 1923 11 Sheets-Sheet l W memup Feb, 3, 1925.4 1,524,921

' W. E. DUNNING ET AL FILING APPLIANGE Filed July 16. 1923 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 3, 1925.

W, E. DUNNING ET AL v1I. Sheets-Sheet 3 FILING APFLIANGE Filed July l, 1.923

Feb, 3, 1925. 1,524,921

. w. E. DUNNING ET AL FILING APPLIANCE' Filed July 1e, 192s 11 sheets-sheet 4 li @g5 Feb. 3, 1925- v 1,524,921 w. E. DUNNING E1' AL FILING APPLIANCE Filed July 16, 192s 11 sheets-sheet 5 Feb. 3, 1925 w. E. DUNNING ET Al.

FILING APPLIANCE Filed July 16, 1923 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 `w. E. DUNNING ET AL Feb, 3, 1925.

FILING APPLIANCE Filed July 16, 1925 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 1,524,921 w. E. DUNNING E'r AL FILING APPLIANCE Fned July 16, 192s 11 sneetssheet s Feb, 3, 1925.

Feb., 3, 31925.

W. E. DUNNING ET AL FILING APPLIANCE Filed July 15. 1923 1l SheeiS-Sheei l0 A Feb., 3, 1925. mzwm W. E. DUNNING ET AL FILING- APPLANCE Filed July 16, 1923 11 Sheets-Sheet ll actor 11u10 Patented Feb. 3, 192515.1

WILLIAM. .DUNNINQ AND iJACeBfiBAGHOFENi DE, Annelies 05:10,. ASsIeNORS-TO THE: MQQASKEY. Realisme.. Ummm. vor Atmen-CE1, 01110 e. C(1R-.P0.1,MPJIONy or.

OHIO. l

FILING-jAPPLIANCE.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be .it known that-we, VILLIAM El. DUN- NiNe and JAoonBAoI-rorrx, citizens. of the. United States, residing,.- atAlliance, in the County of Stark and State.y of Ohio, haveV invented certain new andx useful Improve-Y ments inFiling, Appliances, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to a-filing' appliancefor Asalesloills and other similar 1 3apers,. in which a series of hinged holder-frames or leaves'may bevv opera-tively mounted uponasupportingeleva-tor-framercarried in a. fire-A proof oase having a rectangular box base into which the frame and superpose-d holders maybe lowered'and a lid for enclosing the same when not in use.

In fillingtiappliances-.of thislind various. methods vhave been i employed for mounting and operating thehingedl holders uponor in a supportingbase or frame, andin some instancestwo different.v methods-have been. employed for operating adjoining or f adjacent series.r of holders; butl in all such modes of operation, thereV are certain rstrnctural conditions which practically limit the number of hinged holders which .can be .successfully manipulated by. one.A mode of operation.

fr. principal object ofthe presentimprovement is to 'comb-ine and `coordinate three severalanethods of mountingand operating 'as many series. of hinged holders continuously connected together, so as to increase to a` maximunrthe billi holding capacity. of Vthe combined series in l av single and continu ously l operative bank.A of holders..

in the preferred normal position of such a. bank. ori series of hinged bill holders, the. same. are by preference normally mounted and maintained in-upright or vertical position when not in use, anda further object of the improvement is to opera-tively mount the bank-ofholders upon an elevatorrsup-l porting frame carried in therbof; body of. the case, in such a, manner thatgthebanlr (if-holders may be raised; and. operatively supported at the open top ofi-theoaseeaind can also be lowered andenclosed in thercase, in normal upright position;

A preferred formof the-.improvementfis illustrated in thel accompanying drawings, in which-- lligureluis an elevation section ofi' the case.; with the.: lidiV closed, showing in i side;

1923.` Serial ANo.- 651,815.y

elevationthe filing appliance lowered-.and enclosed therein;

Fig- 9,' adetached face View of one of the bill holders; i

Fig,l 3, anhelevation section of the oase with the lid raised, showinginside elevation-.thefiling appliance elevated through the .open -top of the case Fig; 4,- a similar view showing the ba-nl; of holdersfmoved rearward into the operative position;

Fig. 5, afragmentary view of the saine showing the table leaf `swung forward-toward prone position.;

Fig.- 6', a similar View showing the table leafsvv'ung'y forward and downward into prone position;

Fig. 7, a similar view showing the first three. vholders of the forward section of the series, swung forward toward prone position;

Fig.. 8, a similar View showing the first sixliolders comprising the-.forward section, swung downward. into prone position;

Fig. 9, a similar view-showing `the first four holders ofthe intern'iediate section, swung forward toward prone position;

Fig. 10,1 a similar View showing` all of theeightho-lders comprising the intermediatesection, swung downward into prone positionupon the forward section;

Fig'. 11,;a. similar viewshowingvthe first four holders of therear section, swung forward toward.: prone position;

Fig. 12, asimilar-view showing all but oneoffthe nine holders comprising the rear section, swungforward into-prone position uponthe forwardand-the intermediate sections;

Fig.- 13', a similar view showing all the holders. of' the forward section andv four holders of the intermediate section, 'together swung forward toward'prone position;

lll, a: similarview showing all the holders oftheiforwardand'intcrmedY ite se@- tions andthree Vholders ofthe rearward section, togetherL swinging forward' toward prone Aposition 15, an elevation-.section of the ease with the lid opened, showing in side elevation the holder supporting frame elevated therein withY the bank of holders removed therefrom;

Fig. y16, a detached perspective view of the: elevan-ird supporting-.firame Fig. 17, a detached perspective view of the elevator guide ways;

Fig. 18, a detached perspective view of the bill holder carriage frame;

Fig. 19, a fragn'rentary view of one bearing and lait-ch for the fulcrum pivots;

Fig. 20, a fragmentary perspective view of the elevator releasing lever;

Fig. 2l, a detached front face view of the table leaf;

Fig. 22, an edge view of the sameg'and Fig. 23, an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing the hinge connection and the yielding track support for the table leaf.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The case for the filing appliance may comprise a box body 22 open at the top, a lid 23 hinged at 24 to the rear rim of the body and provided with a combination lock and a handle bar 26 along the forward edge, by means of which handle the lid may be readily raised and lowered.

The elevator supporting frame 27 is provided with a plurality of guide rollers 28 extending laterally from each side, which are adapted to operate in guide ways 29 and 29 provided therefor on the inner side of the side walls of the body of the case; two guide rolls spaced one above the other being preferably provided near the rear end of the elevator' frame, and a third side roll being preferably spaced a substantial distance forward therefrom, so as to give triangular points of support for holding the elevator frame from tilting.

Supporting links 30 are provided on each side of the elevator frame, the upper ends of which are preferably connected with brackets as 31 secured to the underside of the lid, and the lower ends of which are provided with elongated slots 32 in which are slidably engaged supporting pins 33 extending laterally from the sides of the elevator frame. The lower ends of these slots form bearings for the pins for arising and carrying the elevator frame when the lid is opened to the upright position shown in Figs. 3 to 15, and the pins may slide in the slots to permit the links to move downward when the lid is finally closed after the elevator carriage rests upon the bottom of the Vuse, as shown in Fig. 1.

The weight of the lid, the elevetor carriage and the bank of holders superposed thereon, is preferably sustained or counterbala-nced atleast in part, by a pair of coiled compression springs 34 in each side of the case; the springs being located around telescoping tubes 35 and rods 3G. The lower ends of the telescoping tubes are secured to a. cross head 37 pivotally connected to a bearing bracket 33 in the forward corner of the bottom of the case; and the upper ends of the telescoping rods are secured to a cross head 39 pivotally connected to a bearing bracket 40 on the under side of the lid; from which upper cross head 39 may depend a shield 41 extending around the outer sides of the springs and rods, and having a band 42 on its lower end extending around the inner side thereof, all in well known manner.

Lid supporting links 43 are provided in the sides of the case, and the same may have their upper' ends pivotally connected to the bearing brackets 40 on the under side of the lid. These links are provided with longitudinal slots 44 throughout the greater portion of their length, which slidably engage supporting posts 45 extending inward from the sides of the body of the ease. The slots 44 are curved abruptly forward at their lower ends so as to form shoulders 46, adapted to rest and bear upon the supporting posts 45 when the lid is fully opened into upright position, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 13; in which position the lid may lean slightly rearward, as illustrated in the drawings.

The lid supporting links normally swing rearward by gravity, so that their shoulders 46 will bear upon the supporting pins 45, and when it is desired to lower the lid, both links may be swung forward in unison to disengage the shoulder from the pins, by means of a releasing lever 47 secured to the end of a rock shaft 48 extending transversely through the supporting frame and having a crank arm 49 on each end with a crank pin 50 thereon extending inward in rear of the lower end of the corresponding link, so that a forward movement of the releasing lever moves the lower ends of the links forward, thereby disengagiing the bearing shoulders from the supporting pinions and permitting the pins to slide in the slots as the links move downward with the lid.

rI he releasing lever 4T may be normally held rearward by a coiled expansion spring 51 connecting it with the elevator frame, and it is preferred to provide a stop linger 52 extending inward in the path of astop Enger 53 extending inward and downward from one side of the bill holder carriage frame 54 5 so that the releasing lever is posi.- tively stopped from operation when the bank of bill holders is pushed rearward upon the carriage into operative position, as presently to be described.

The carriage frame 54 is provided with traction wheels 55 which bear and travel upon horizontal track ledges 56 provided in each side of the horizontal frame underneath guide bars 57 overhanging the wheels and forming guide ways in which the wheels operate forward and rearward.

The rearward movement of the carriage frame 54 is limited and stopped by the uplll() lill) 60 for springing-.frdownward?to-pass unden the forward end of' the frame. and.; then-1 spring upward toengage th'eesarnei when moved to its rearinost position, as shown'iin Figs. 4 to 14, inclusive.

At the forward end of'its `inoveinent, the fo-rwardtraction wheels ride upward Vupon the inclined rear-end o-f the yb-locksf6lpon :the forward end'fof vthe ftracle ledges`56,` inth'e,- forward ends -o-f which blocksare providedY semi-circular recesses 62 for receivingetheff wheels and holding'thein.against movement in either direction, unless the frame is lifted upward soas :togrelease the wheelsfrom the recesses.

The filing.l appliance per se vmay includea. bank orV continuous seriesY offbill .r holder l frames or leaves 63, .63 and 634', which are-- all h'nged together at .their lower endsfby" means of interengaging hinger ears Y 64 and pintles 65, so `that thei-r upperendsfmayy swing freely tov and fronreaclrother;;and inV front ofthe foremost' holder 63" mayA beprovided altab'le'lleaf66, which is likewise"V hinged to lthe lower end of the-foremost'- holder softhat it mayswing-freelyrtoaland from the upperend vofthe same;-

All the bill holders are made exactly alike, with reeessesv67 andsp'ringwclips=s68 in each face for receiving- .anduclampingy sales bills -or lthe like in well known'nian.y ner; hut for ope-rating purposes,I according' to the present improvement," th'ey'mazy be described as coinprising'three several sections or series, which'inay includef'sonie.six` holders 63 in the forward section, sonic eight holders. 63 inthe intermediate sectfonyv andv some nine holders 63 in the rearward section.

Three points of-supportare lprovidedfor the` bank of holders when in normalv uprightposition, the first-being; aE pair of spring; sus-:- tained tracks `69 extending. rearward from an hinge connection with the'forwardcornersf of the elevatorframe, fory supporting'the hingedend ofthe tablefleat; the second be.-v ing a pair of hearings '70'on1th'e forwardend. of= thecarriage 54,'- forl supporting thefpinf iles 65 ofthe hingesfbetween' the contiguous holdersv of the forward `and intermediate sections', and the thirdbeing a. pair'of;ahut-.- ment rollers Tl mount-ed on theinner sidel of la swinging f frame; 72 ca rried .uponvfparallel l'nks risingfroin the sidesof the carriage frame 54 and controlledfbythe 1novemen-ts of the real-most holder of the.- intermediate section, which rollersforin abutmentsY for'the side edges of the rearmost holder of the rearward section, asbest shown in Figs. 4 and l2.

The forward endsv ofthetracks-69 are;

hinged at 74 to the forward end of the ele.= vator frame, 'in rear of which eachztrackgis supported by` compression springs 7 5 bearingfiuponguide lugs 76 through which operates guide rods 77 surrounded by the.'

springs. The rodsare provided with heads 78- bearing upon the upper end of the springs and pivotallyy connected with thetracks 69,? so as to yieldingly sustain the same, aswell shown in Fig. 16. Uponzthe outer lside of each yielding track is formed orsecured an auxiliary track 7 9 which is-in clined upward and folv'ward from the plane ofthe main track V69, from a. point at or near theiniddle to the forward end thereoff Azshaft 8O isjournaled in'bearings 8l at thefforward'.edgefcorners of the table leaf 66, .upon the ends of which shafts are provided traction rollersv 82 extending beyond thefside edges of the leaf andadapted to ride uponftheauziiliary tracks-79 when. the leaf .is standing. in vnormal upright position, as shown in Figs. `3, 4 and 22; in which positionof the-parts, the bearings-SlI aref-near'y above the main tracks 69 so as to bear and ride-upon the samewhenthetable leaf isswung forward, as shown in Fig. 23;

Another. shaft 83 is journaled in thelower` endofthe table leaf at an interval above the-.- shaft 8l. and also above the position of the pintles-16-5f upon which-:theleaf is hingedl by ears 64? on its rear side,as shown in Fine. 23;.uponA the vends ofwlrich shaft 83 are provided traction wheels; 84, ywhichare par,- tially located in a recessf84` so that the wheelswill protrude'therefrom for riding upon the main tracks when-the table leaf-isswung forward and downwardinto proner position, as sho-wn in Fig. 23.

In this position of the.` part-s the sde edges ofthe table leaf restand ride upon thefor.-y ward ends of the main tracks, andthe foremost holder 66 of the bank of leaves is supported by the traction wheels 84 and. the bearings 81 resting upon the main tracks 69., which in turn are thrust upward andsustained by the compression springs 75, aswell shown 1n Fig. 23. The locationof the` forward pintle 65 between the wheels 84 and the bearings 6l serves to hold the table leaf in prone 1;)osition.

These partshave been described in the positions occupied by them when the bank of. leaves .-is pushed 1 rearward .uponA the can riage frame into Voperative position, asf-1 shown in Figs.- 4to 14 inclusive. llVhen, however, thebank of leaves is moved forward with the carriage frame, as for lowering the case, the holders and the-table leaf being in normal upright position; thetraction rollers 82 at the lower corners of.` the.` table leaf, ride upon the auxiliaryy traeks), whichcarry the rollers upward. from the plane-of the maintracks, so as tosustain the table leafand theholders of the forward ll-f) section in upright position, as shown in Fig. 3; the main tracks not being free to rise far enough for that purpose, beca-use of the contact of their rea-r ends with the lower ends of the bill holders.

The pintles G5 of the hinges between the contiguous holders of the forward. and intermediate sections, are preferably retained in the bearings TO on the forward end of the carriage frame, by means of gravity latches 85, as shown in Fig. 19; and for the purpose of coordinating the movements of the intermediate sections of holders, the eighth or rearmost series of the intermediate section is provided with guide rollers S6 on the lower corners, which rollers extend laterally for operating in guide ways 87 carried by the swinging frame 72, so that the frame will conform to the forward and rearward movements of the hinged end of the holder which carries the guide rollers.

When the filing appliance is not in use, it is lowered and enclosed in the fireproof case, as shown in Fig. l, and when it is desired to use the same, it is elevated by the upward thrust of the compression springs 34:, supplemented or at least controlled by grasping the handle bar on the forward end of the lid. The lid rises alone until the supporting pins 33 bear upon the lower ends o-f the slots in the supporting links 30, whereupon the elevator carriage and bank of the leaves thereon are raised to the top of the case, and there locked by the lid supporting links 43, as shown in Fig. 3. Y

The forward end of the bank of holders is then lifted so that the forward traction wheels may ride out of the retaining recesses 62 in the blocks 6l, and the bank of leaves is pushed rearward upon the carriage frame into operative position, as shown in Fig. 4, wherein it is locked by the engagement of the hook of the spring latch 5S) against the forward edge of the carriage frame. The table leaf 66 may then be swung forward from the normal position shown in Fig. :23, to the position shown in Fig. 5, and thence downward to the prone position shown in Figs. 6 and An index may be provided on the inner upper side of the table leaf or upon the forward face of the foremost holder as may be desired, and when the table leaf is swung forward and downward into prone position, the se "ies of holders is ready for use.

The operation of the section comprising the first six holders is accomplished in the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 8, by swinging the upper ends of the desired number of holders forward and downward, which carries the hinged ends thereof downward and rearward under the foremost upright holder of the intermediate sections, the saine being permitted by adepression of the rear ends of the yielding tracks 69 upon which the hinged end of the table leaf moves rearward while supporting in upright position the holders of the forward section which have not been swung forward. rlhis movement of the holders in the forward section may be termed an under swinging operation, and during this movement, the forward end of the table leaf bears and slides upon the forward ends of the trac rs.

The same pintle which serves as the support for the rear holder of the forward series, serves also as the fulcrum supportfor the forward holder of the intermediate and rearward sections during the operation thereof. Y

The operation of the holders of the intermediate section is accomplished as shown in Figs. 9 and l0, and as one or more holders of this section are swung forward upon the fulcrum pintle 65, the guide rollers 86 on the lower corners of the rearmost holder of the section operate in the guide ways 87 to swing the frame 72 and the abutment roller thereon forward; thereby sustaining all the holders which have not been swung forward in upright position, as they are moved upward by the forward swinging of the forward holders in well known manner, until all the holders of the intermediate section have been swung forward and downward to prone position upon the forward section, as shown in Fig. 10.

The operation of the intermediate section of the holders is thus accomplished by what is commonly known as the gravity method, for the reason that the' holders are swung and held in prone position, as well as in upright position, by the weight of the upright holders, without the use of springs or counterweights, and that the same weight tends to swing the holders into either one or the other position, when they are manually moved more than half way toward the same.

The operation of the intermediate section of holders is also accompanied by what may be termed a moving abutment, for the reason that the operation of the holders of the intermediate section moves the swinging frame which carries the abutment rollers and also the rearward section of holders, to and fro, so that they constitute a moving abutment for the rearmost holder of ther intermediate series. rEhe movements of the holders of the intermediate section may thus be referred to as a moving abutment gravity operation.

The operation of the rearmost section of holders is also accomplished by the gravity method, for the reason that when all the holders of the intermediate section have been swung forward into prone position, the hinge connection between the rearmost intermediate holder and the foremost holder of the rearward section constitutes a fixed fulcrum upon which the holders of the rearmost sectionlare operated by f the 'gavlity method. As thereisno further forward movement of the'swinging frame andthe abutn'ient rolls the same `constitute 'what the operation of each andl allthe sections may bev and in practice are usually coordinated. For instance, when all the holders are in normal upright positioinlasshown in Fig. 6, and it is desired to have access to one of the holders'of the.'intermediate section, it is only necessary for the operator to grasp the free end of thefholder to which f hold .the table leaf and the leaves 'of the forward section in normal upright position,

access is desired, and bv pullingthesame forward-and downward,t allE the holders in` front of it, including thoseA of'the lintermediate section and all` of theforwardsection, will loperate as -a Y'unit by turning on the fulcrum formed by the bearingsvO on the forward edge of 'the carriaoefranle,fas shown in Fig. 13.

It will also be understoodthatwhen the same number of forward'holdershave been swung 'forward Iinto prone position,"`tliey may be all together swungupwardlasaunit into normal upright position, by merely lifting the forwardj' free- 'endl of the foremostJ holder; `and it will' also-be ainderstood thatV it is not necessary to swing the table leaf forward into prone position, as shown in Fig. 6, before the holders proper are operated, for the reason that the table leaf may be swung to and fro in conjunction with the foremost holder, if it is desired to do so.

And finally, when all of the holders are in normal upright position, as shown in Fig. 6, and it is desired to have. access to one o-f the holders in the rearward section it is only necessary to grasp the upper free end of the holder to which access is desired, and by pulling` the same forward and downward, all the holders in front thereof in the several sections will be operated, as a unit, each according to their own law, as shown in Fig. 14; in short, all of thel ho-lders may be operated as a unit to and from a prone position, by a coordination of the operation of the holders in all of the several sections.

In this manner there may be combined in a unitary filing appliance, a continuous series lof lhinged holders including-three severalsets, the holders ineach setoperating according to a different mode or meth-od and also in coordination'withv the-operationof the holders infeach of thelot-her sets; and each set may contain as many holders-as may be. conveniently and practically operated together by its/particular I'mode 'of operation, thereby increasingv `to a maximum the number of'holders -which can be combined in a single unitary filling :'ippliance.

lVhen the tiling appliance'is lnot in use, and Titr is fdesiredto lower thefbanlrof bill holders 'into the well formed by 'the box body of the case, forlfire or burglar protection,

1 the holders an'd thetable leaf areall swung into normal upright position, 'as shown in "Fig. 4;- after-which'the springi-latchiis *disengaged from?thetforward edge off the fcarriage flameVa'nd the same with the' lbank of holders thereon are moved forward until the forward yset of' traction -wheelsv 55 ride uponand enter' the recesses in the blockll, during which movementz the tract-ionrol-ls VS2 on the lower corne-rsof thetab'le leaf, ride upon the iauxiliary ltracks T9-so asfto Vas shown in Fig. lt will beI understood that thef'rea'rward `or operating position of the banlrofholders lasshowniin Figa-fet isnecessary oir-desirable 1 to prevent the 'table I:leaf: and the holders :superposed thereon front' overhangrng the forward fend of Vthe *elevator sup-'porting kiframe tooxfar flo-r propersupport; an'dthat 'the forward shiftingf ori/movement of the *same,f shown in Fig. 3,; is desirable orrneces -sary f to I lprevent the lid from `Jstrilri ng i the /l'upper'e'nds of? lt-he! rearlmo'st holders' before .theyareflowered far* enough' into' the to avoid the same, when the parts are made and arranged in the most desirable proportions for convenient use.

After moving the bank of holders forward, into the position shown in Fig. 3, the releasing lever 47 may be swung' forward to disengage the lid sup-porting links 43 from the support-ing pins 45, whereupon theweight of the elevator frame and the bank of leaves thereon, assisted if need be by a forward pull upon. the lid handle 26, serves to overcome the action of the counterbalance springs 34, and the carriage with the holders thereon is lowered into the box body of the case, being guided therein by the movement of the guide rolls 28 in the guide ways 29 and 29.

The downward movement continues until the elevator frame rests upon the bottom of the case, after which the lid is finally closed by the sliding of the supporting pins in the slots of the supporting links which final closing movement of the lid is against the full force of the compression springs 3e, and compresses the same so that their energy is useful in the initial movement of raising the lid when the same is again opened for elevating thebank of holders into position for use.

The improvement in filing appliance cases illustrated and described but not claimed herein is made the subject matter of a companion application for Letters Patent tiled herewith, Serial No. 651,814.

XVe claim 1. A filing appliance including a series of normally upright holders hinged together at their lower ends for swinging apa-rt at their upper ends, and supporting means for the series of holders including yielding tracks at one end, movable abutments Vat the other end and intermediate pivotal bearings arranged for an underswinging operation of one end section thereof, a movable-abutment gravity operation of an intermediate section thereof, and a stationary-abutment gravity operation of t-he other end section thereof.

2. A iling appliance including a continuous series ofV normally upright holders hinged Ytogether at their lower ends for swinging apartV at their upper ends, yielding tracks for supporting the holders in one forward end section of the series, bea-rings for the hinges of Vthe contiguous holders of the forward end section and an intermediate section of the series, a movable. abutment frame for the rearmost holder of the other end sect-ion of the series, and means on the hinged end of the rearmost holder of the intermediate series for moving the abutment frame therewith, whereby the forward section of holders can be operated by an underswinging movement, the intermediate section by afmovable-abutment gravity operation, and the rearward section by a stat-ionary-abutment gravity operation.

- 3. A filing appliance including a continuous series of holders hinged together at their lower ends for swinging apart at their upper ends, and a support for the series carrying yielding tracks at one end for the holders in one end section of the series, bearings intermediateV the ends of the support for the hinged ends of the contiguous holders blet-ween the one end section and the intermediate section of the series, an abutment for the holders in the intermediate and the other end section of the series, and means on the hinged end of the reaimost holder of the intermediate section for moving then abutment during the operation of the holders of the intermediate section of the series.

4. A filing appliance including a supporting frame, a carriage movable forward and rearward upon the frame having bearings on its forward edge, a series of normally upi right holders operatively mounted on the carriage having their lower ends hinged together for swinging apart at their upper ends, the hinged end of an intermediate holder being supported by the bearings, yielding tracks pivoted at their forward ends to the supporting frame and extending rearward under the hinged holders for normally supporting the foremost holder, auxiliary tracks on the sides of the yielding tracks inclined upward and forward from the plane thereof, and traction rollers on the hinged end of the foremost holder for riding on the auxiliary tracks when the can riage and holders are moved forward onY the supporting frame.

WILLIAM E. DUNNING. JACOB BACHGFEN. 

